Surviving the Post-Apocalyptic World of The Last of Us with an Electric Car: A Game Changing Advantage

Despite being wary of the fact that HBO’s The Last of Us would be a video game turned tv adaptation of a series that I hold very dear to my heart, I was beyond elated to start watching. The sheer scale of production and visual effects needed was astronomical for me to comprehend. While Game of Thrones exists on a seemingly similar level of production needs, it was still a fantasy setting that could mostly take place in vast environments ripe for production design and builds. The Last of Us takes place in a world that requires pretty modern human structure. Converting that into a usable set, in my experience as a VFX Supervisor is far far harder.

And wow does the show deliver! The attention to detail and epic world building on a physical level is delightfully successful. While marveling at the professional execution of it all, I did find my mind starting to wonder at the apocalyptic survival and prep that would ensure best living conditions in Ellie and Joel’s world.

Perhaps someone like Bill would assume that gas-powered vehicles are the best option in a post-apocalyptic world. It is classic, tried and true, and it’s how Dad did it, that’s how America does it, and it’s worked out pretty well so far. But! But but but but but!!!

Electric cars offer significant advantages that should not be overlooked.

When an apocalypse happens, the human world will lose a majority of its ability to generate community needs. We are going to need to rely on simpler manufacturing and energy sources. Refining gasoline requires complex infrastructure and technology that would likely be lost in a catastrophic event. Even if you were able to find gasoline, (which so many zombie and apocalypse shows rely heavily on — just foraging for goods) you would still need to transport and store it safely, which would be a challenge in a world where law and order have broken down and modern conveniences do no longer exist.

On the other hand, generating electricity to power an electric car is actually much more attainable. Remember in elementary school where we all learned how to power a light bulb using a potato? Electricity can be made from SO many simple things. Found solar panels, wind turbines, windmills, and hydroelectric power can all be used to generate electricity, and portable generators can be used to charge your car’s battery even in remote locations.

Electricity is more easily renewable. This means that even if the power grid is down, an electric car can still be charged and operated.

Another advantage of electric cars is that they require less maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles. Electric cars have fewer moving parts, which means that there are fewer components that can break down. This makes them a more reliable option in an apocalypse scenario where access to mechanics and spare parts is limited. They will keep running for longer.

Electric cars also operate more quietly than gasoline-powered cars. In a world where noise can attract unwanted attention, the ability to move around quietly can be a huge advantage. You can sneak up on prey or move around without drawing the attention of other survivors or potential threats.

Of course, there are also some downsides to electric cars. For example, the range of an electric car may seem limited compared to a gas-powered car. Additionally, transporting gasoline for long range travel is far simpler and allows for more spontaneity. For more planned, local travel, however, this limitation can be overcome with careful planning and the use of portable charging solutions. If one had a community setup or even a home base like Bill did, perhaps a combination of both might help conserve a finite resource like gasoline. After all, every drop of fuel really really counts.

Additionally, electric cars are actually more efficient than gasoline-powered cars, meaning that they can travel farther on the same amount of energy.

Despite above noted challenges, an electric car can be a smart choice for those who are preparing for an uncertain future. While it might not be the ultimate solution to all of your problems, it could definitely help you get through some tough times. With its renewable energy source, low maintenance requirements, quiet operation, efficient use of resources, and easy charging capabilities, an electric car can be a valuable asset in an apocalypse scenario.

Be a modern day Bill, combining and electric vehicle with your dope, gas powered blue truck and a shotgun, just might be the key to you and Frank’s survival.

Thanks for reading!